The on-line museum of North America's independent department stores. The museum holds all sorts of information about classic department stores which either no longer exist, or are changed beyond recognition. A few of them are still with us, and provide an interesting connection to North America's retail past. The others are presented so that they may be properly remembered as a tangible part of the lives of their customers, shopping destinations where memories were often made.

Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co., Rochester, New York

Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co. buildingon Main Street, built 1905.

At 1.1 million square feet of space,Sibley's was the largest department storebuilding between New York and Chicago.

The massive bulk of the Sibley building indowntown Rochester is well conveyed bythis aerial view. The upper six floors of theSibley Tower were leased as smallprofessional offices.

Three young men ventured west from Boston to Rochester, New York in 1868, and founded the Sibley, Landsay & Curr Co. on March 30 of that year. That the store that bore their names grew into the largest department store between New York and Chicago can't help but be a testimonial to the hard work and management skills of its founders. All three of these men, one a native New Englander (Rufus A. Sibley [1841-1928]) and two originally from Scotland (Alexander M. Lindsay [1841- 1920] and John Curr [1837-1918]), met while employed at Hogg, Brown & Thompson of Boston. As a large wholesale and jobbing house, Hogg, Brown & Thompson encouraged, and even financed, talented employees who sought to move away from Boston to establish retail stores, so that these new stores could become customers, thereby increasing its sales. Having seen the success of friends and co-workers that left the same employer, and found success in other cities, they decided to come to Rochester to open their own business.

Their diminutive, 4,000 square foot store, like many others across the country, was christened The Boston Store, on account of the retail methods it employed, but eventually became known by the partners' names, Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co. Success, on account of the store's policies, which included the one-price system, refunds, and other emerging trends, was immediate and lasting. Within a year, in 1869, the original store at 73 E. Main Street, and known as the Marble Block, had to be doubled in size. The upper floors housed a wholesale division, supervised by Curr, while the retail section, under Sibley and Lindsay's leadership, became known for its aggressive merchandising, and tight financial control as much as much as it did for its pleasant and scrupulously clean shopping atmosphere, which was in contrast to the typical retailer's warehouse-like accommodations in those early days.In spite of unqualified success, Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co.'s early years were not entirely without their difficulties, however. John Curr, who suffered from lung trouble, left western New York for Colorado in 1875, and though his name remained above the door, he sold his portion of the business to the other partners upon his departure. Rufus Sibley, who was known as a rather austere figure, worked tirelessly at his business, so much so that his wife eventually had a breakdown and died at an early age. By contrast, the more jovial Mr. Lindsay, who directed the store's merchandising, was a more jovial character, who was valued for his energy, experience, and ability to freely offer valuable advice to co-worker and customer alike.

Yet, it seemed that the store's foundation was such that prosperity and growth took it from strength to strength. In 1880, the adjacent Osborne House hotel building was acquired and used to expand the store's physical plant. A new, seven-story Romanesque-style structure was built in 1890 to house Sibley's wholesale division, extending the store back from Main Street, all the way to Mortimer Street.Three years later, a new face was given the store by the construction and opening of the new thirteen-story "Granite Building" at the corner of Main and St. Paul streets, replacing the old Osborne House structure. When opening day arrived, on October 23, 1893, Sibley's management was so confident that their new building would serve their needs for many years to come, that they leased the upper floors as offices. The inaugural announcement proclaimed Sibley's "The Largest Department House Between New York and Chicago," with over 195,000 square feet of selling space.

The business was incorporated in 1897, and other Scottish- and English-born partners were taken into partnership, partly to fill the void left by Curr, and partly due to the increased need for good management for the dynamic business. Thomas B. Johnston (1849-1915) came to the United States in the year of Sibley's founding, from the Orkney Islands, and his son Louis Johnston (1881-1963) ran the company from 1930 to 1945. As an aside, Louis Johnston was married to Cora Scovil, the astute businesswoman who perfected the modern mannequin, and wrote Clara Scovil's Ladies' Book, a style-setting guide for women, in 1940.Andrew Townson (1856-1920) was a financial wizard who managed Sibley's growth through property acquisition and management, and Thomas B. Ryder (1857-1942) who worked for Sibley's for an astonishing period of 72 years!

When it became clear that Sibley's seriously underestimated its space needs by the turn of the century, the store quietly acquired properties further east on Main Street for future expansion, and eventually controlled the whole block bounded by Main, Clinton, North and Mortimer streets. Before too many plans could be made for these lots, disaster, in the form of a faulty 5-cent fuse, struck in the bitterly-cold early-morning hours of February 26, 1904.It was said that the Sibley Fire of 1904, started by the aforementioned fuse, and fueled by yard after yard of drapery fabric and other dry goods merchandise, was the most spotted (a night watchman saw the sparks that started it) and most-quickly reported conflagration, by so many people, to such little avail. Fire brigades responded, but the fire spread, dropping burning embers on adjoining roofs. From then on, if the fire was not such a tragedy, it might have been seen as a comedy of errors.

Water that was poured on the structures ultimately froze in the streets and made access treacherous. A horse, pulling a fire engine, kicked open a manhole and got its leg caught; an assistant fire chief slipped on ice and was knocked unconscious; help came all the way from Syracuse, but their equipment was incompatible with that of Rochester's fire brigade, forcing makeshift action to pump water directly out of the Genesee River.One by one, buildings on the block tumbled down until eventually the fire reached the "fireproof" Granite Building, and Sibley's physical plant succumbed to the blaze. It was only due to the skill and heroism of the fire crews on hand that day that there were no casualties, and the fire was declared "out" within 40 hours of its initial spark. Sibley's lost $1.2 million worth of stock, but though its safe crashed six floors into the store's flooded basement, $40,000.00 was salvaged. Interestingly enough, J. Foster Warner, the architect who was drawing plans for a new Sibley store, lost all of his work for that project and many others due to the fact that his offices were located on the eleventh floor of the Granite Building.

The store's partners reportedly considered taking the insurance money and exiting the business after the fire, but, being successful and fully-engaged merchants, they immediately got to work ordering new stock and operated from makeshift quarters on their new property. Surprisingly, the granite building, though completely burnt-out, stood just as strongly as before, thirteen stories above the corner of Main and St. Paul streets. It was refitted and still serves as an office building as of today.

Sibley's itself took up residence in one-half of the buildings on their future site, allowing the rest to be demolished in order to construct a new home for the store. When the first part of the austere, five-story Chicago-style structure was completed, the store moved from the cramped and haphazard buildings it had occupied to the west. Accordingly, these structures were pulled down and the handsome Sibley Block, with its landmark clock tower, was completed, filling the whole block.

When even this modern, new building, far ahead of its time, was outgrown, an angular piece of property along North Street was bought in order to accommodate a six-story addition to Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co. that was completed in 1911, and known as "The Mercantile Building." A twelve story building and six-story addition to the Mercantile building was called "The Sibley Tower" and completed by 1926. This part of the store housed Sibley's well-regarded Tower Restaurant, and carried on the long-held tradition at the store of housing leased medical and professional offices on its upper floors. By this time, Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co. could boast of 1.1 million square feet of space in its flagship building. Unlike many other department stores, Sibley's maintained a grocery operation downtown, called the Sibley Food and Gourmet Center. The store's bakery was among the most popular in the city.

By the 1920s, much of the store's original management had retired or passed on. Rufus Sibley had retired in 1911, and Alexander Lindsay followed him three years later. Curiously, the two, though they worked well as managers of this outstanding and large institution, had never been close friends and seldom interacted. A final dispute over the hiring of family members marred the last years of their collaboration, and led to a terminal break between the two. Yet the carefully-considered management style that gave the store a "British" atmosphere and emphasized old-world values continued on through the leadership of Jesse Lindsay (1876-1950) and John R. Sibley (1890-1965), offspring of the founders.

During the depression era, this management consulted with business professor Malcolm McNair of Harvard, who helped the country shed businesses it had acquired in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Kansas City, Missouri; Erie, Pennsylvania; and nearby Niagara Falls, as well as its foundering wholesale division, as well as successfully revising its capital structure to meet the challenges of the World War II and post-war eras. Thomas B. Ryder's son Charles Crouch took the helm in 1941, and led the store (including a major remodeling) until his death by a sudden heart-attack in 1949, when he was succeeded by long-time employee E. Willard Dennis. Much of the success of the Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co. can be seen as due to the effective management upon which it drew.In 1954 Sibley's drew leadership from outside by hiring Emil G. Krogh, a Norwegian-born executive previously with Frederick & Nelson and Marshall Field & Company. It was under Krogh that Sibley's embarked on a 4-store suburban expansion plan in 1955, and the 1957 merger of Sibley's into the Associated Dry Goods Co.Sibley's celebrated its centennial anniversary in style, with a remodeled store and an ad campaign that reminded customers that Sibley's. being the largest department store in New York, outside of New York City, as "Upstate New York's Store of the Century." Time-honored Sibley traditions came into the spotlight as the store basked in the light of 100 years of achievement.

Elsewhere the 1960s, Sibley's expanded in the Rochester market by opening a large mall branch in Greece, New York, and again at Eastview Mall in Victor, New York in 1971. Outside of Syracuse, Sibley's opened its largest store outside of downtown in the retail center of Syracuse in 1969. The store, which had been forecast in the mid-1960s, ran into development obstacles, but was eventually joined by a branch in Fayetteville outside of Syracuse.The decline of downtown Rochester reached a point in the 1980s that caused Sibley's to contract by leasing its fifth floor to outside tenants, not long after it opened a very glitzy 1980s branch at the large Marketplace Mall in Henrieeta, that made its popular, longstanding, and oft-expanded Southtown store redundant.Before long, Sibley's and ADG's Wm. Hengerer Co. stores in the Bufffalo era were combined, and in 1986, May Department Stores acquired Associated Dry Goods, Sibley's parent firm. When a new store opened in the large and ultimately unsuccessful Irondequoit Mall in the 1990s, replacing several of Sibley's earliest branches, it carried the name of Kaufmann's, the May Co.'s Pittsburgh division.By the time all of the former Sibley stores were renamed, the business retained no connection with the Rochester community save for its history. The downtown store closed in January of 1990, before the Pittsburgh name was added to its branches. By the time these few stores were disposed of, or renamed to Macy's, hardly anything but a once-famous building downtown remained of the famous and well-regarded "Store of the Century."

112 comments:

Sibley's opened their store in downtown Syracuse in Autumn of 1969 . . . they announced intention to enter the market much earlier, but there were issues about the site and the demolition of existing buildings, which caused quite a delay. The store was originally 4 floors with a basement, but after a "renovation," it was cut back to 2. To my knowledge there are no department stores left in the downtown of this city that once boasted Sibley's Edwards, Dey Brothers, The Addis Co., Chapell's, and a smaller specialty store known as Flah & Co. It would have seemed that, in the 60's, the horizon looked very bright indeed for downtown Syracuse; so much so, that Sibley's and Associated Dry Goods, the parent, were confident enough to make the investment they did.

Associated Dry Goods merged Sibley's with Buffalo's Wm. Hengerer Co. in 1981 and the stores eventually just became Sibley's, operated out of Rochester. When May Co. merged Sibley's into their Kaufmann's chain in 1990, there were four locations operating in the Buffalo market, all of which are currently operating as Macy's:

1. Boulevard Mall - this location opened as Sibley's in 1983 in space formerly occupied by Sattler's. Kaufmann's later opened a separate Men's Store at the Mall which is still operated by Macy's.2. Eastern Hills Mall - this location opened as Hengerer's in 1971 and is the only store to have operated under all incarnations of Hengerer's/Sibley's/Kaufmann's/Macy's.3. Walden Galleria - this location opened as Sibley's in 1988 as the first store to open at the then under-construction mega-mall.4. McKinley Mall - this location opened in 1989 as Sibley's. Kaufmann's later opened a Home Store on the site which is still in operation as Macy's Home.

This site is amazing! I have thought for a long time that it is a shame that all this history has not been documented. I worked at Sibleys downtown and also in greece.I have searched the web for pictures of the inside of the store and have found little. This is a forgotten piece of our culture so I am grateful it is now being preserved. My children will never experience the absolute joy of a downtown department store. Call me a dinosaur, but I think it's a tragedy.

It is hard to imagine any of our cities without their downtown "anchor" department stores, but for me, it is especially so in regard to Rochester, where my brother lived for several years. I got to know Sibley's and it was certainly worthy of the type of documentation you mention. I am not sure where, but I did see that either the library or historical society had some photos on line from the store's past. Nothing too extensive, and one hopes that someday a book might be published about this great store, one of the largest between New York and Cleveland.

I used to live in Webster, New York, we had a Sibleys at the Wegmans plaza at Bay Road and Empire Boulevard. It was a great place to shop but I really liked the one in downtown Rochester. I used to go there around the Holidays and visit the basement where the grocery area was to get specialty items. One of my Grand parents saved a news paper from when the original store opened in the city, it was complete with pictures. I still have it but it is packed away in a box. I moved to California 29 years ago and still miss the East. beverly32149

Sibley's bakery(in the grocery store)was the best. Their birthday cakes were amazing and just delicious. The baker was very talented in decorating the cakes, and one could get any motif on them one desired. Also, their meat market was outstanding-so fresh, cut or ground to order, wonderful poultry and everything the best quality. No irradiated fruits/vegetables in those days, that is for sure! What a pleasure it was to shop there! Sibley's even had a pretty good art department, having special art exhibitions and they made picture frames. In the porcelain china department, I remember a special Asian exhibit in the 70's, I believe it was, from Japan and China, with fine porcelain, other fine items, and artisans came in person from China, demonstrating how they hand painted snuff bottles on the interior with tiny little brushes. The bottles were expensve way back then, around $70 each! They were excellent quality though, and just beautiful! Their furniture and carpet department was really great too, as were their appliances, small appliances, and cook ware. One could find quality in everything in those days! Now everything is made in China, and it isn't fun to shop any more! The quality is inferior, everything is expensive and when I buy a pot or pan from China, I worry about contamination. So much change in a liftime! So sad to loose all of our local department stores, not only Sibley's, but also,B. Formans, and McCurdy's, and of course, most of all, to loose items made in the good old USA! It is better to shop at a house sale today, and thrifting/recycling is more economical, that is for sure!

I clearly remember when Sibley's built a spectacular new store in downtown Syracuse. It was the late 1960's and I remember the news stories that this was the first major department store to be built in a large city in twenty years. That was a time when downtowns across the nation were losing stores to the suburbs. Sibley's is long gone from downtown Syracuse but its building remains with the Sibley's logo on one side. I am unsure what use it now has.

I also remember the Fayetteville, NY store. Built in the new Fayetteville Mall in the early 1970's, it really was impressive--even elegant-- and I often took out-of-town friends to see it. It was just as impressive as the sketch above. Sibley's was a rival of Dey Brothers (which I preferred because I grew up in Syracuse and Deys was OUR store). Nevertheless, Sibley's was a good store with quality products and I wish it was still with us. The Fayetteville store stood only twenty years or so and it was demolished when the entire mall was bulldozed. It is now the site of a large outdoor shopping area which, in many ways is much nicer thant the mall concepts of the Seventies. However, I still look for Sibley's and that stunning facade.

How did we manage to lose so much of our local identities and allow ourselves to morph into communities of Bon-Tons and Kaufmans?

Wow u worked in the bakery.... do u have a recipe for the lemon swirl cake with silvered almonds... I have tried to recreate it for years.., it was my birthday cake since I probably was in my early teens. I'll be 70 this year ...yikes. I worked in the cafeteria as a teenager and my Mom worked in major appliances... I believe she was a buyer in later years. I have the cake down except for the frosting. If you can guide me it would be great. Thanks Toni... email is Seldenski47@msn.com

Today I came across a lot of Sibley,Lindsay & Curr coins in $10.00 and $25.00 denominations. I was wondering what they were used for ,and if they have any value today.I have Googled it with not much luck-

I worked at Sibley'd downtown (Roch) in the mid-1970s and it was wonderful, especiall at Christmas time. Was als great being just accross the street from Midtown Plaza. There isn't shopping like that in most cities anymore. Soon there will be a few upscale venues for the 1%ers and Walmart for the rest of us.

I remember Sibley's and used to love the bargain store in Irondequoit. I have recently come across a photograph that was taken at Sibley's by the Heberger Studio and am trying to get an idea of the age of the photograph based on the style of the frame and the content of the photo. Can anyone help??

I have a Sibley's Hat Box...I found it at a yard sale and thought "Boy, this thing has got to be something special"! So I snatched it up for about $2.00's It's in Excellent condition, looks like sepia colors, Beige background with Sibley buildings and words that say " In Rochester its Sibleys" The woman that owned it must have been an employee cuz when I opened it there was a large Green Pin - Say's - Sibley's in cursive writing # 240 in the middle and in Capital Black Block letters reads EMPLOYEE... also a monthly news letter April 1963 called "From the Potter's Wheel", Syracuse China Corporation, Syracuse, 1, N.Y. The first Article is introducing the "new manager" Raymond C. Cobourn. The newsletter Also has an article named 'Sibleys Visits Syracuse. Representatives of the Sibleys China Dept, of Sibleys, Lindsay and Curr Co., the article mentions the names of the people that where there from Sibley's ...Geraldine Covington, Madeline Ange, Bertha Pelava, Mildres Hamman, , Myrtle Schendel just to name a few. I came to this site to see if I could find out anything about the hat box. Little did I know there was so much going on over here!@ If any of you remember this or know anything about the hatbox and what it might be worth today would be great to know...Such History in this Box! Rhonda

The Sibley's cafeteria at what used to be Greece Towne Mall was called The Ridge Room. I'm curious as to how the administrator of this blog came across sketches of various Sibley's department store locations that are long gone. I thought I was the only one who had those in print form. At any rate, the former Sibley's store at Greece Ridge Mall is now being demolished. I went through there and photographed it back in February when Bon Ton was having a store fixture sale.

I digitally-enhanced these images from some old photos. If you are in possesion of the original images, would you consider scanning or photographing them, so that I may show better images and enhance readers' memories? I once had a better image of the Syracuse store but it was lost due to a portable hard-drive crash a few years ago.My brother and sister-in-law lived in Rochester, abd Greece Towne Mall was their local shopping center at the time. By then, Sibley's was in decline, but you could see what a fine store it was at one time.Brucebakgraphics@comcast.net

I would give my right arm if someone would/could offer any more recipes from Sibley's. My grandmother would ask my what I wanted for my birthday, I would reply "Only my favorite cake from Sibley's. The cake was of chocolate layer,with 3 differant lines of frosting piped on top,dark and light chocolate and white it was GREAT!That grand mother I spoke was my fathers mom. Pop often told us kids as a young lad hr found a hidden door at Sibley's E.Main St. entrance. This door opened the way to the stores tower, from there pop would watch parades and all outdoor activities downtown. Go Pop!

Wow, what great memories. i worked in the grocery dept in the 1970's and it was a treat. Sometimes hard work sometimes great fun. I will never forget Norma, Karen, Kirt, Mr Larter and Gertie and the fun crew at the registers. The cakes were great and so were the gourmet items. only place I knew where you could buy chocolate covered crickets and ants and other really different items. They were the first to introduce gluten-free breads too.

I spent the first fifteen years of my life practically living in the store in downtown Rochester. My dad worked in their in-house print shop where they did all their own business cards, fliers, posters and such without contracting a large printing company like Case-Hoyt. I remember the special kind of magic they created at Christmas time.

My grandparents had lived on Daytona Ave in Webster, NY and there was a Sibley's next to Weagmans off of Empire Blvd. I remember going shopping there when we were kids and opening Sibley boxes at Christmas. My sister kept a wool coat that our grandmother wore, that has the Sibley tag inside; still in great condition and in style. We also kept some old tie and gift boxes that our grandmother had saved. The boxes have a paper cover with the Sibley's logo on the top covers.

I worked at Sibley's during the summer of 1966 as a "floater". I would work at any department that needed me. I loved to get people to "Charge and Send"!Does anyone remember those wonderful chocolate drinks..maybe they were called "Frozen Chocolates" for 10 cents? They were perhaps like the Wendy's drink but twice as good. They sold them outside the grocery store in a little booth.

I loved those frosties! Also love the Lime Rickies at the same counter. So delicious and refreshing. I'd meet my friends in front of the purse department, we'd have lunch--the wonderful buffet in the Tower Restaurant. Often there was a fashion show during lunch. Oh, those were the days.

My grandmother used to be a hostess at the Tower Restaurant on the sixth floor of the downtown Rochester store. It was always so much fun to go there. I was a kid, but I recall that it had a great reputation, and did a better lunch business with the downtown executive crowd than they did at dinner time. They also had a great 'breakfast with Santa' every year. My dentist was in the tower building and after every visit, I would get soft ice cream at the soda fountain just outside the grocery 'department'. Good times in downtown Rochester back then.

My parents met at Sibley's in Rochester and later moved to Florida where I was born. However, every summer, through the 60s and 70s, we went back to Rochester. I'll never forget visiting Sibley's and the Mid-Town mall. Today, we have Walmart and Costco, gone is an true era. Thank you for this site.

I remember the Walking Salads for lunch. Does anybody remember their great bakery. Every St. Patrick's Day I would get one of the green covered frog cakes with pink frosting inside. I waited every year for that and miss them so much

As a young patron in the 1950,s I remember most the "Malt" - Soft Ice Cream glass - Coke Bottle Shaped delights. These were provided at the counter - booth just outside the Grocery Dept. Later in life they had a wonderfull "ClamBake" Dinner for a picnic that was packed in a large cooking tin that you put right on your outside campfire grill. It was for a party of (4) persons. It contained, clams,fresh corn, potatoes and chicken. A truley wonderfull picnic container and all in one pot for around & 20.00. Christmas Glass Window Displayes, listed in a Series of aisles, were a treat for us younger kids. We will always miss our Rochester - Sibley's ! Such fond memories, of the past...

I have been on a quest to have someone verify my memory of the "frozen chocolate malts" served in a tall silver container with a long spoon. It was a walk up bar and if you were lucky you got a stool at the bar. This was our treat before leaving downtown. I say it was Sibley's, my hubby thinks Edwards???????

I have fond memories of those frozen treats as well. Definitely a sibley's item. Always had one after seeing Santa at sibley's. I remember the walk through Christmas scenes that changed every year. Great downtown Rochester memories!

Yes I remember the chocolate malts. My mom would take my brother and I downtown on the bus to shop. I remember being so tired after an afternoon of going through all of the big dept. stores, but we'd have to stop and get a "malt". My brother an I were around 6/8 years old so we would sit under one of the small circular counter areas. The other thing that I still remember was BRAIN FREEZE. lol. As it turned out I went to work in the Sibley downtown salon in the Canned Ego area I was one of the first stylist to be trained in the scissor cut that would be blown dry...The Shag. I was 18 yo and did my cosmetology training at WeMoCo. That was 1971. I'm 65 now. 2018 Stores

My memory says the ones at the walk up bar on the first floor came in a styrofoam cup. But in the basement restaurant, which they closed around 1979 I think, at the counter your milkshake came in a silver cup. Maybe you have merged the two? But I do remember Edwards having a snack bar too. And remember in midtown, the "747" restaurant which was like having an airplane meal? Sigh. I can still smell sibleys main floor. It was unique.

I remember the "chocolate frosteds" from a styrofoam cup at the stand up counter on Sibley's first floor. What I remember most is Sibley's at Christmas. My mom would take each of us 4 youngest kids, one at a time, 4 different evenings, on the West Ave. bus to downtown for Christmas shopping. There was also the bakery in the back of Edwards that had great doughnuts and cookies. And for a real blast from the past, how about Katz Meat Market on Water Street, where my grandfather worked as a butcher?

Sibley's (under ADG) was considered the East Coast equivalent to Robinson's in LA. They both were more upscale and at one time catered to what was known as the "carriage trade". Still not on par with Lord&Taylor (another ADG division), but more so with Robinson's.So sad that except for truly large-large urban cities there are no downtown stores remaining.

i bought a beautiful wedding dress and a pair of shoes at a yard sale, seems her son age 61 was selling his moms wedding dress, does it have any value to it? its sure very expensive silk with lace and 1943 when she got married so thats during the war when money was tight, any help be appreciated, thanks ken

we all are getting the frozen treats mixed up a little. definitely the metal 'cup' you got was a milkshake. but the icecream treat i thought was in the basement was either a 'frosted' or something like that. but edwards had a great bakery & most stores had a cafe' to eat & drink. sorry to hear the one with 4 youngest kids taking turns. we also took the bus but went back and forth numerous times during christmas, especially me & my older sister. we also lived across from the Public Market when i was 1-5yrs.old so we walked downtown ALL THE TIME. my mom even let us skip school so we could go with her.......now what do our kids have... the mall.? my oldest is 33 and she got to see santa at T.H.E. Best display i've ever seen & ride the monorail at MIDTOWN PLAZA. awesome memories. i worked at McFarlin's mens clothing(1973-75) the last of a true haberdashery.

Sibley's grocery and bakery was the best in the city. Wegmans and Mohican Supermarkets didn't come close but could not compare with the quality of foods available at Sibley's. They carried the original gourmet products of those times

The Hitchcock chairs bearing the Sibley, Lindsay & Curr name were manufactured by the Hitchcock furniture company but differed somewhat from the original styles. I worked there as a part time stock boy in the late 40's and early 50's while going to school. Although, I currently reside in PA and enjoy what we have here, I still miss the close knit urban shopping and entertainment that was available in those days at downtown venues throughout Rochester.

Did you forget Wells & Coverly in Syracuse? I worked there part time one year during the Christmas season, and my grandfather had been a tailor there for many, many years. I loved the store, and purchased most of my clothing in Haven Hall on the third floor. Who can forget Jack Craig who sold dress shirts on the first floor, or Mr. Johnson who was the floor supervisor/walker, and who greeted customers as they entered the store?

I came to Rochester from down south in 1982, and I thought Sibley's was the finest department store I'd ever been in. I worked in the Sibley Tower and spent many a lunch hour browsing the store. I left Rochester a long, long time ago, but my memories of Sibley's remain as fresh as ever.

Coins were used to pay employees in 1870s then locked in basment St Paul And main.Restamped in 1946 as Sibley money orginals were made from Gold Sliver and nickel. They we're then restamped in 1960s as discount promotion. At closing given to employees. ..NOTE THISSibleys Santa was given the orginal 1865 Santa suit equipment and three cases of orginal Sibleys coins to be given to special needs children.$25 SOLID GOLD $10 SLIVER $5 NICKELSanta still gives coins away to children.These orginal coins survived the fire survived two wars survived the closing.But now survive Sibleys as Santas special gift.worth there weight in Gold sliver and nickel.

WHAT: Sibley Re-UnionWHEN: Saturday, July 19, 2014TIME: 1:00PM – 6:00PMCOST: Compliments of Winn Company. Food stations, wine, beer and tourWHO: Former and current Sibley employees and one guestATTIRE: Rochester casualI sincerely hope you are able to attend and if you have any contact information for former Sibley employees please email to me and we will add them to the invite list.

Following are some details – Please Save the Date and an invite will be forthcoming.WHAT: Sibley Re-UnionWHEN: Saturday, July 19, 2014TIME: 1:00PM – 6:00PMCOST: Compliments of Winn Company. Food stations, wine, beer and tourWHO: Former and current Sibley employees and one guestATTIRE: Rochester casualI sincerely hope you are able to attend and if you have any contact information for former Sibley employees please email to me and we will add them to the invite list.

Is there a Bakery Cook Book? I loved the Mocha Cake and the little special Frog Cup Cakes also Swirl Cookies topped with a little chocolate frosting and a half pecan. Thanks for any help. Reply to pbarb513@aol.com

I was a tween when Sibley's went into the newly-built Fayetteville Mall in Syracuse. They had copper metalic panels above the entranceway to the mall. I have an old photo of that somewhere. It was such a nice store!

Fascinating history. From an estate sale, I have a Sibley, Lindsay, & Curr Co. white Armoire with the store tag id stapled to the back of the armoire. One of the drawer has an engraved "Dixie" on the side. I'd like to get an appraisal and sell - any suggestions?

I have the Rochester Game, I came out in the early 1980's. I was like monopoly, It has Sibley's McCurdys' and Forman's. My son has my step dad's cashmere coat with a heavy silk lining with a Harry Forman's label. He gets compliments when he wears it

Not sure the first post went through. I have't been able to find the candy called wisteria . For most of the young life my grandmother took me each Christmas down town to Sibley's and just before we left we would stop at the candy counter and buy tow or three scoops of the small squared black colored candy. I have been looking for years now trying to find it and would like to know if ANY one can help me. I would love to buy some but by this time if I find it I will need to buy allot ! PLEASE HELP if you can.

Wow. I googled Sibley's and I was suddenly transported back in time to my childhood in Rochester, sitting in the sidewalk cafe eating a slice of cold chocolate cake (they always kept it cold and to this day I love refrigerated chocolate cake!) I would take the Monroe Ave bus after inter-high band to Sibley's, eat my cake, and then continue on the North Clinton Avenue bus to home. I googled Sibley's because I am framing a gorgeous print of the cover of Sibley's 1961 Holiday Book of Gifts. This print was tacked up on the door of the fruit cellar in my childhood home from 1961 until 2013 when my mother sold her house. I wish I could post a photo of it for you all to see. It is a woman wearing a green and rose dress with a large rose on her head holding two tall green candles and some holly in her outstretched arms. Just lovely! If anyone knows how to post a photo, let me know!

SEEMS THERE ARE MANY WHO NEED RECIEPES FROM SIBLEYS BAKERY....ME TOO LOVE THE HALF MOON COOKIES. MY FATHER WOULD BRING THEM HOME AS A SPECIAL TREAT....WE GOT ONE EACH EVERY BLUE MOON. WHERE CAN I GET THIS RECEIPE???????

My mom would take me shopping at Sibley's. She would park me at the malted dispenser in the grocery department which was :on the first floor. I must have been 5 or 6 at the time. She would then leave me alone with my malted and be gone seemed forever. I would wander around examing all of the fresh fruits and vegetables wondering when she would return. Especially as closing time approached. Can you imagine someone leaving 5 year old alone today? The malteds were incredibly good. Now that is the recipe I would like!!

The model train layout was another fascinating part of the Sibley store. As I got older my mom would leave me there while she shopped. I would covet all of the cars and accessories that I would like to have, being aware that it would never happen. The dreams youth are made out of....

I don't know who created this site but I'm really glad "they" did - I very much enjoy learning the history of Rochester, NY and its suburbs (i.e. Pittsford, Penfield, and Webster) and this was a great read! I'm not from the Rochester area, rather a much smaller town outside of Elmira, NY known as Wellsburg, NY. Rochester (Webster, NY) became my home after I graduated from college.That's where Sibley's comes into my life...my first job was in the Sibley Tower Building. I worked for a business located on the 6th floor (even ate at the restaurant that was located on Sibley's 6th floor - not accessible from the offices - entrance to the restaurant was gained by using elevators within the store). Sibley's was still an operating beautiful store that I too enjoyed many a lunch hour wandering through, spending $ and partaking in the goodies at the bakery (I wish I had had one of those green covered frog cakes w/pink frosting inside, I don't recall them but they sound as though they were big time yummy!) I did get to see at least one Christmas season (maybe more) the abundance of beautiful decorations, moving animated figures, and all so large… add the many smells and sounds of Christmas you could really believe you were in a Christmas Fairy Tale story. Downtown did however became a completely different place after the closing of Sibley's. Ironically... I ended up working for the same co. I started out with on that 6th floor of the Sibley Tower Bldg for almost 30 yr.’s (we too had moved out of the downtown area).Now after 30 years in the Rochester area, I find myself fascinated and constantly seeking more information about Rochester. As I left the Park Ave Festival today, walking up the street named "Sibley Place" I was writing down addresses of some of the large beautiful houses that I could tell had been there from the beginning and immediately began researching as soon as I got home (6 Sibley Place has a very interesting story and I was happy to learn that the current owners of this location are renovating the property).

Thank you to whomever started this site, all those who have added detail related to their experiences and happy memories and of course Bruce (bakgraphics@comcast.net), who as you read through the above blogs has reached out to several individuals who have left comments noting that they have pictures from the olden days and offered to help in getting their pictures posted.

I am working on the restoration of the tea room for High Tech Rochester. We are trying to put the room back to original condition, or as close as possible. Does anyone have pictures of the tea room from the past? I know what it looks like now.

I am working on the restoration of the tea room for High Tech Rochester. We are trying to put the room back to original condition, or as close as possible. Does anyone have pictures of the tea room from the past? I know what it looks like now.

I was wondering if anyone knows if its possible at all to get inside the building for a tour - I know Rochester Fashion week hosted an event here, and I would love to do my own research and see what my city used to be like!

wow, i was just curious about the store. now i find out its gone out of business. I spent a few months up there working with a crew back in the early 1980's running new phone lines through the whole building. Worked 7 days a week, that place was so big.

I worked at the Main street store in the Tower restaurant beginning in 1981. I remember many a dinner with Santa or Breakfast with Santa. It was my second job out of college. The first being a short stint at a place on Monroe Ave near twelve corners. It was a really good place to work.

This is an awesome site.....My Mom worked in the Major Appliances as a Buyer....and when I was 16, I worked at the Cafeteria under Theresa.....after schools on Tuesday and Thursday plus Saturdays. I loved Sibley's! and like the rest, I need the Lemon Swirl Cake recipe from the Bakery. My Mom got it for my birthday every year. I have never been able to duplicate it. Does anyone know if there is a recipe floating around in their relatives recipe boxes. Thanks Toni (Seldenski47@msn.com)

My mother worked downtown a good portion of my childhood. She managed the McCurdy's budgeteria and Jet Terrace. I would go to work with her Sibley's and McCurdy's was my playground. I would jump on the oriental rugs in Sibley's and go in the toy store. My sister and I would also travel downtown to shop for holidays and a day of fun on a Saturday.

I absolutely adored Sibley's when I was growing up in Rochester. I loved it that department stores in the 1950s and 1960s had more departments than they do now. The candy counter was terrific - I believe it was Sibley's that sold a wonderful candy shell bridge mix. I, too, remember the chocolate-mocha ice cream drink that was served in the glasses that were slender at the bottom and curved out at the top with the tall silver spoon. I recall seeing a large batch of glasses that had to be washed which showed how popular the drink was, and the counter always seemed to be filled with people. I remember Sibley's big clock, too. Does anyone remember the Edwards' train at Christmas time?

I remember the sibley's multi level chocolate cake. It had a creamy chocolate filling between layers. It also had little chocolate accessory type frosting on the top with raspberry jelly in them and chocolate sprinkles around the sides. Many years ago I was visiting my mother and she directed me to a bakery that was still making those cakes. They may have be called torts. Does anyone know if that bakery still exists and/or if those cakes are still available. I am 70 years old and can still taste those cakes in my mind. You can contact me at tgwalsh02@gmail.com. Thank you.

I worked in wrapping and packing in the mid 50s My job was picking up the merchandise from different departments and taking them downstairs to be wrapped and delivered. Sibleys had a fleet of delivery trucks which were garaged on Nassau St. My father worked there for 50 years, at the time he started he delivered by horse and wagon. Ken Backus

I'm working on the restoration of the tower restaurant and I'm looking for any pictures anyone might have, especially of the large mirrors in the "game room", there are some missing decorative pieces that were one on the face of the mirrors and I'm trying to find out what they looked like.

I have a hat box along with several hats which would have been purchased early 1900's. There is a receipt for 1 hat for $25.00. I have no idea what I should do with these hats. They obviously were very expensive du r in that time. My Aunt was very wealthy which is why she purchased the hats. Any suggestions, I'm open. Please respond to mercyheavens@gmail.com.

Can anybody tell me what year the "sibley's food center" was established at the downtown Rochester location...... I recently came across an ancient back that had an old Sibley's logo. The cars on the bag appears to be 1940's style vehicles.........

I grew up near Syracuse and was in high school when the Fayetteville Mall and it's Sibley's store opened in Fayetteville, NY. As a couple previous comments indicate, that was the mall's name, not "Fayette Mall" as on the photo caption. I enjoy your blog!

I have some photos from working at the salon, Canned Ego, 1971. I was hired before I graduated hs. I loved working for that salon. Glemby Int. John and Suzie Chadwick were the design and training coordinators for all the new styles coming from England and I came in on the ground floor of this whole new way of styling hair. No more rollers, teasing, and hairspray. I, so far have not read a mention of the ladies lounge at the downtown store. The days when going to the restroom had class.lol. you could rest there and get your second wind for more shopping.

I loved that store, they don't have or build stores like that . Good and friendly service is hard to fine today. Quality goods and decent prices as well . Loved all the extra things they had as well. The special luncheons they had as well. It was special when you went there. Miss that kind of place and it didn't cost you a arm and leg to go or shop. And the candy counter was the best ! Yep I miss that place.

I have a 16mm motion picture reel of the firefighters responding to and fighting the 1904 Sibley Building fire in Rochester. I recently had the film digitized that includes my grandfather, a lifelong Rochester Firefighter driving team of horses pulling fire equipment.

Hi, I am Christine the youngest of 7,my father was Paul Eppler Carter jr. the oldest son of Elizabeth Johnston, the daughter of Thomas B.Johnson. Uncle Lou his son was a jovial man. His wife aunt Cora invented mannequins and cristal furniture which made Their bedroom a magical place for a little girl.

About Me

Born in 1958 into an American family with deep Polish roots, I was encouraged at an early age to take education wherever I could get it. I was taken across the country as a child, by my first-generation American parents, to see the wonders of our continent, and several World's Fairs which my parents felt would be educational and fun for our family. All of these things have affected my life in so many ways since then. I achieved a couple of degrees in architecture, and attained licensure in 1990. My specialty in the field is creative design, for which I have received a number of awards and accolades. I am happily married for the second time. I experienced the sadness and pain of being a widower after my first wife passed away suddenly in 1996. I would not be telling the truth if I did not mention how central my Roman Catholic faith was in negotiating such a difficult time. It still is, in fact. I work for Fieldstone A&E and, my free time is spent, learning, researching, writing, cooking, traveling, taking photographs, ballroom dancing, and enjoying my relationship with my wife and family with whom I am extraordinarily close.